Texas Conference of the AAUP
@texasaaup.bsky.social
We are an association of all AAUP members in Texas #HigherEd. Join us as we advocate for faculty and instructors through the state. Become involved in a local chapter or start one!
https://connect.aft.org/app/memberforms/8041A/JoinTheFight
https://connect.aft.org/app/memberforms/8041A/JoinTheFight
Pinned
🔔Our open letter to academic leaders in TX: “As pressures mount on TX public institutions of higher education, we write on behalf of faculty across the state to remind you of your obligations to protect academic freedom and due process.”
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Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
This was published in the dead week between Christmas and New Year’s. If you work in education & were, reasonably, taking a break, maybe you missed it.
Don’t miss it.
Don’t miss it.
The ‘Crisis of the Humanities’ Is Over. That’s Not a Good Thing.
All of higher ed now suffers the attacks of politics and technology.
www.chronicle.com
January 6, 2026 at 2:10 PM
This was published in the dead week between Christmas and New Year’s. If you work in education & were, reasonably, taking a break, maybe you missed it.
Don’t miss it.
Don’t miss it.
Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
New: Texas teachers union sues state education agency for investigating social media posts about Charlie Kirk
Texas AFT sues over Charlie Kirk social media investigations
The Texas Education Agency received hundreds of complaints about educators’ online reactions to the conservative activist’s death.
www.texastribune.org
January 6, 2026 at 4:24 PM
New: Texas teachers union sues state education agency for investigating social media posts about Charlie Kirk
Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
The firing of Sang Hea Kil from her tenured professorship at San Jose State for her pro-Palestinian speech has major implications for academic freedom and unions at public universities.
Despite unanimously winning the faculty hearing, the campus president overturned the decision.
Read more here👇
Despite unanimously winning the faculty hearing, the campus president overturned the decision.
Read more here👇
San Jose State professor fights back after being fired over Palestine protest
San Jose State professor Sang Hea Kil was suspended over allegations related to a Palestine protest, and now the university plans to fire her. Omar Zahzah speaks with Kil about the precedent set by he...
mondoweiss.net
January 5, 2026 at 6:09 PM
The firing of Sang Hea Kil from her tenured professorship at San Jose State for her pro-Palestinian speech has major implications for academic freedom and unions at public universities.
Despite unanimously winning the faculty hearing, the campus president overturned the decision.
Read more here👇
Despite unanimously winning the faculty hearing, the campus president overturned the decision.
Read more here👇
Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
Academics! Join us!
Join the AAUP members on your campus!
Texas Conference of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP)
aaup-texas.org
December 29, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Academics! Join us!
Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
💬 Viewpoint: The rollback of DEI efforts and threats to academic freedom risk undermining the foundational teaching of bioethics, social determinants of health, and structural injustice in #MedEd.
ja.ma/4pjdGVF
ja.ma/4pjdGVF
December 30, 2025 at 5:00 PM
💬 Viewpoint: The rollback of DEI efforts and threats to academic freedom risk undermining the foundational teaching of bioethics, social determinants of health, and structural injustice in #MedEd.
ja.ma/4pjdGVF
ja.ma/4pjdGVF
Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
“The bottom line is that if faculty thought that university leadership was doing an adequate job in protecting academic freedom, scholarship and the autonomy of the university, they wouldn’t have needed to file the lawsuits.” www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
No deal, no defiance: UC's Trump fight grinds on, leaving UCLA in limbo
School officials and the Trump administration have been at a standstill for months over $584 million in research grants.
www.politico.com
December 29, 2025 at 10:40 PM
“The bottom line is that if faculty thought that university leadership was doing an adequate job in protecting academic freedom, scholarship and the autonomy of the university, they wouldn’t have needed to file the lawsuits.” www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
Explore American Science, Shattered
A multipart series on how the Trump administration has disrupted labs, upended lives, and delayed discoveries
Part 1: Scientists lost a reliable partner, with ‘nothing to replace it’
www.statnews.com/2025/12/04/a...
By @mmolteni.bsky.social @aniloza.bsky.social
A multipart series on how the Trump administration has disrupted labs, upended lives, and delayed discoveries
Part 1: Scientists lost a reliable partner, with ‘nothing to replace it’
www.statnews.com/2025/12/04/a...
By @mmolteni.bsky.social @aniloza.bsky.social
Trump has ‘shaken the hell’ out of the 80-year research pact between the government and universities. What now?
Trump has "shaken the hell" out of the 80-year research pact between the government and universities. What now?
www.statnews.com
December 31, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Explore American Science, Shattered
A multipart series on how the Trump administration has disrupted labs, upended lives, and delayed discoveries
Part 1: Scientists lost a reliable partner, with ‘nothing to replace it’
www.statnews.com/2025/12/04/a...
By @mmolteni.bsky.social @aniloza.bsky.social
A multipart series on how the Trump administration has disrupted labs, upended lives, and delayed discoveries
Part 1: Scientists lost a reliable partner, with ‘nothing to replace it’
www.statnews.com/2025/12/04/a...
By @mmolteni.bsky.social @aniloza.bsky.social
Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
Important webinar at the end of the month on academic freedom. Register using the QR code in the attached flyer.
January 2, 2026 at 10:45 AM
Important webinar at the end of the month on academic freedom. Register using the QR code in the attached flyer.
Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
When the University stands firmly on the side of academic freedom, integrity, and its own stated values, we all flourish—students, faculty, staff, and the broader communities we serve.” 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
OU-AAUP petition for academic freedom gains over 16,000 signatures amid grading dispute okcfox.com/news/local/o...
OU-AAUP petition for academic freedom gains over 16,000 signatures amid grading dispute
A petition from the OU Chapter of the American Association of University Professors (OU-AAUP) calling on OU to publicly support academic freedom has over 16,000
okcfox.com
January 1, 2026 at 2:22 PM
When the University stands firmly on the side of academic freedom, integrity, and its own stated values, we all flourish—students, faculty, staff, and the broader communities we serve.” 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
Mark your calendars for these events Feb 10th! ⬇️⬇️
From drafting clear policies to rallying champions and protecting academic freedom for library workers, these Intellectual Freedom sessions provide the grounding you need to navigate your library's challenges with confidence.
#ALAVirtual26 Claim your spot now! https://www.ala.org/virtual-event
#ALAVirtual26 Claim your spot now! https://www.ala.org/virtual-event
January 6, 2026 at 1:28 PM
Mark your calendars for these events Feb 10th! ⬇️⬇️
Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
“As the year ended, with higher education exhausted from struggling to stay afloat in the political tsunami, mass shootings at Brown University and Kentucky State University were appalling reminders of the dangers that still lurk well beyond politics". (Patricia McGuire). 1/3
US academics fear further attacks in 2026 after ‘horrendous year’
Higher education leaders pessimistic about future under Trump administration as recent campus shootings darken the outlook
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 2, 2026 at 1:58 PM
“As the year ended, with higher education exhausted from struggling to stay afloat in the political tsunami, mass shootings at Brown University and Kentucky State University were appalling reminders of the dangers that still lurk well beyond politics". (Patricia McGuire). 1/3
🤠 Hey, Texas faculty! As you prep for the spring semester check out our blog for tips + advice. 👇
1) Don’t self-censor, know your rights! 2) Report censorship of your teaching, research, or expression.
3) Organize your department. We are stronger together!
aaup-texas.org/blog/f/2025-...
1) Don’t self-censor, know your rights! 2) Report censorship of your teaching, research, or expression.
3) Organize your department. We are stronger together!
aaup-texas.org/blog/f/2025-...
2025: A Year of Resistance, Solidarity and Resolve
CONTACT: Brian L. Evans, PhD, President, Texas Conference of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), affiliated with the Texas American Federation of Teachers (AFT), aaup.texas@gmai...
aaup-texas.org
January 4, 2026 at 9:37 PM
🤠 Hey, Texas faculty! As you prep for the spring semester check out our blog for tips + advice. 👇
1) Don’t self-censor, know your rights! 2) Report censorship of your teaching, research, or expression.
3) Organize your department. We are stronger together!
aaup-texas.org/blog/f/2025-...
1) Don’t self-censor, know your rights! 2) Report censorship of your teaching, research, or expression.
3) Organize your department. We are stronger together!
aaup-texas.org/blog/f/2025-...
Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
“We need a higher ed system that’s not rooted in students as customers, but in critical inquiry and the development of smart, thoughtful citizens in a democracy who can see through the lies and stand up for the kind of society we want to build.”
— Todd Wolfson, AAUP President
— Todd Wolfson, AAUP President
Trump’s Attempts to Control Higher Education Follow a Familiar Fascist Playbook
Trumpism has been aided by divestment that hollowed higher ed out from the core, AAUP President Todd Wolfson says.
truthout.org
January 2, 2026 at 2:35 PM
“We need a higher ed system that’s not rooted in students as customers, but in critical inquiry and the development of smart, thoughtful citizens in a democracy who can see through the lies and stand up for the kind of society we want to build.”
— Todd Wolfson, AAUP President
— Todd Wolfson, AAUP President
Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
Statement Re: OU Discrimination Investigation
Today, my client, Mel Curth, submitted her appeal of the University's Institutional Equity Office finding that she engaged in arbitrary and capricious grading of a student's assignment in violation of that student's religious liberty.
Today, my client, Mel Curth, submitted her appeal of the University's Institutional Equity Office finding that she engaged in arbitrary and capricious grading of a student's assignment in violation of that student's religious liberty.
December 30, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Statement Re: OU Discrimination Investigation
Today, my client, Mel Curth, submitted her appeal of the University's Institutional Equity Office finding that she engaged in arbitrary and capricious grading of a student's assignment in violation of that student's religious liberty.
Today, my client, Mel Curth, submitted her appeal of the University's Institutional Equity Office finding that she engaged in arbitrary and capricious grading of a student's assignment in violation of that student's religious liberty.
Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
Even at research intensive (R1) universities in the US, "tenure density" is already below 50%.
December 23, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Even at research intensive (R1) universities in the US, "tenure density" is already below 50%.
Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
AAUP Raises Alarm Over Palantir’s Work for Ed Department
www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-t...
www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-t...
AAUP Raises Alarm Over Palantir's Work for Ed Department
The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) is publicly expressing concern about the Education Department working with Palantir, a controversial artificial intelligence and data analysis ...
www.insidehighered.com
December 19, 2025 at 9:52 PM
AAUP Raises Alarm Over Palantir’s Work for Ed Department
www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-t...
www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-t...
Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
What is happening at the University of Oklahoma is an outrageous violation of due process.
"They hide behind vague statements & assertions of ‘trust us.’ At this point, they need to show us and not tell us."
— OU AAUP
"They hide behind vague statements & assertions of ‘trust us.’ At this point, they need to show us and not tell us."
— OU AAUP
Instructor who gave U of Oklahoma student a zero on anti-trans paper removed from teaching
Graduate assistant Mel Curth found Samantha Fulnecky's paper unscientific and offensive in referring to trans people as "demonic."
www.yahoo.com
December 23, 2025 at 2:57 PM
What is happening at the University of Oklahoma is an outrageous violation of due process.
"They hide behind vague statements & assertions of ‘trust us.’ At this point, they need to show us and not tell us."
— OU AAUP
"They hide behind vague statements & assertions of ‘trust us.’ At this point, they need to show us and not tell us."
— OU AAUP
Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
“We can’t build the vision of higher ed that we all want without first standing up to fascism.”
— Todd Wolfson, AAUP President
— Todd Wolfson, AAUP President
December 24, 2025 at 11:52 PM
“We can’t build the vision of higher ed that we all want without first standing up to fascism.”
— Todd Wolfson, AAUP President
— Todd Wolfson, AAUP President
Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
This year, the AAUP proved something powerful: When we fight, we win.
Your gift to the AAUP Foundation will power legal challenges, advocacy & education that defend the core values of higher ed. Please donate at the link below.
An injury to one is an injury to all. Together, we are stronger.
Your gift to the AAUP Foundation will power legal challenges, advocacy & education that defend the core values of higher ed. Please donate at the link below.
An injury to one is an injury to all. Together, we are stronger.
Giving
Information about various ways to give to the AAUP Foundation.
www.aaupfoundation.org
December 26, 2025 at 6:02 PM
This year, the AAUP proved something powerful: When we fight, we win.
Your gift to the AAUP Foundation will power legal challenges, advocacy & education that defend the core values of higher ed. Please donate at the link below.
An injury to one is an injury to all. Together, we are stronger.
Your gift to the AAUP Foundation will power legal challenges, advocacy & education that defend the core values of higher ed. Please donate at the link below.
An injury to one is an injury to all. Together, we are stronger.
📢 Vital reading: “Calls for unionization and collective action may not be novel, but that’s what is needed…The bad news is that we are under threat. The good news is that we are not alone.” Let’s renew our commitment to organizing together to protect higher education and democracy in 2026! ✊
Happy to see this, written with the excellent @mattseybold.bsky.social , out in the world. Solidarity to everyone fighting for education and civil society!
www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
The ‘Crisis of the Humanities’ Is Over. That’s Not a Good Thing.
All of higher ed now suffers the attacks of politics and technology.
www.chronicle.com
December 29, 2025 at 3:32 PM
📢 Vital reading: “Calls for unionization and collective action may not be novel, but that’s what is needed…The bad news is that we are under threat. The good news is that we are not alone.” Let’s renew our commitment to organizing together to protect higher education and democracy in 2026! ✊
Reposted by Texas Conference of the AAUP
New, from me: The NYT reporter who specializes in profiles of beleaguered right-wingers on campus went to New College...and found out that things were going ok!
So let me explain some pretty massive errors of omission: 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-nyt-re...
So let me explain some pretty massive errors of omission: 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-nyt-re...
The NYT Recruiting Brochure for New College
A failing Ron DeSantis higher ed experiment gets a boost
donmoynihan.substack.com
December 28, 2025 at 7:50 PM
New, from me: The NYT reporter who specializes in profiles of beleaguered right-wingers on campus went to New College...and found out that things were going ok!
So let me explain some pretty massive errors of omission: 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-nyt-re...
So let me explain some pretty massive errors of omission: 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-nyt-re...
The U.S. Department of Education said its Office of Federal Student Aid would "investigate if Brown violated Section 485(f) of the Higher Education Act…which requires institutions…meet certain campus safety and security-related requirements as a condition of receiving federal student aid."
Trump administration investigates Brown's security after shooting
The Department of Education said its Office of Federal Student Aid would investigate if Brown University violated the Higher Education Act in connection with the deadly shooting on Dec. 13.
www.nbcboston.com
December 28, 2025 at 3:00 AM
The U.S. Department of Education said its Office of Federal Student Aid would "investigate if Brown violated Section 485(f) of the Higher Education Act…which requires institutions…meet certain campus safety and security-related requirements as a condition of receiving federal student aid."